16 August 2016

Review - The Stars Never Rise

The Stars Never Rise #1

by Rachel Vincent

What they say: Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she's too busy trying to actually survive. Her town's population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.

When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she'll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie's sin has put her in serious trouble.

To keep them both alive, Nina will need to trust Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist. But what kind of exorcist wears a hoodie?

Wanted by the Church and hunted by dark forces, Nina knows she can't survive on her own. She needs Finn and his group of rogue friends just as much as they need her.

What I say: I have to admit I do sometimes find myself getting bored with the very many YA dystopian/fantasy crossovers out there, but with The Stars Never Rise I loved the crossover and thoroughly enjoyed Nina's story.

Nina lives in the not-too-distant future where the Church rules and society has been plagued by Demons. A lack of souls and high child mortality rates means pregnancy is strictly controlled and people live under the strict control of the Church - sin at your own peril...

The plot provides a terrifying look into a potentially dreadful future, as well as highlighting issues of religion or false religion. The people have lost their free will and are punished if they commit any sins or even think of questioning the Church.